WAL-MART BFL

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:21 pm

I was wondering how many guys would be interested in having the bfl back out in the west. I have been into contacts with Bill Taylor who is the director of tournaments for the wal mart flw. I just need some type of response from YOU the people who could make this happen. Also where do we want to fish, the colorado river, or some california lakes. Please guys/gals, let me know something, so i can let Bill know. Thanks

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:29 pm

If it was here and still affordable I would do it and I don't care where they fish.

sTony

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:35 pm

The tournament director is supposed to be calling me this week with some type of information, and i am sure it would be affordable still. They Are just telling me that we have a lack of interest in fishing this out here, and i am trying to let them give it another try, i just need a little help from all of these fellow fisherman.

Garrett Mercer · Post by **Garrett Mercer** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:35 pm

I would definately be interested, as long as they are still on the weekends. Stren Series durring the week is to hard to fish with a college schedule. I would be interested anywhere from Havasu, to Fisher, and Mead. Depending on fields some So Cal lakes might be too small. The river, Havasu, and Mead can definately support the fields though.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:04 pm

I would be all in. I fished them for 4 years and they were great. I would not care North or South.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:21 pm

and not enough anglers.

I was trying to consider some team tournaments and there is one nearly every weekend.

I am not sur ethatthe BFL would be able to pull the numbers that they have in other areas.

I know several guys that would prefer to fish them, myself included.

gcopple · Post by **gcopple** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:30 pm

as long as travel wasn't an issue i would be all in. havasu, mead sound good, i wouldn't mind taking a trip to clear lake either though!

george

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:34 pm

We have plenty of water up here in NorCal to accommodate them to be sure. Lots of stress on permits on some waters though.

Darn sure wish you guys in SoCal had a big lake or two down there. It'd make stuff like this a lot more conceivable for a bunch of tournament hosts.

sTony

rickyshabazz · Post by **rickyshabazz** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:36 pm

STony,

DVL is the best thing going. I thought you knew.

PS-It's no Delta or Clear Lake though.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:45 pm

The B.F.L. never drew very big #'s in the south region. Look at the old #'s and you will see that it was tough to draw 60 boats per event. The thing about it was that the best in the west always came out and fished them.They were also a very well run deal and the shot at the all american was always a big draw for me.
I would go up north or to the river lakes.
As a matter of fact 1 of the biggewr draws was when the colorado river region used to go to Martinez in March.
As far as driving I knew guys who would drive from New Mexico to fish the B.F.L.'s

BassTramp · Post by **BassTramp** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:58 pm

I would be "all in" in NorCal; I think you would get the best numbers with Delta, Clear Lake, Oroville they are close enough together with a large pool of very good anglers. Price them right so both the "true pro's" show up and us privateers (wantabe's) can justify the costs to of the tournaments I love the concept I would fish the BFL. Make the tournamentsâ€™ on Sunday some of us working stiffs donâ€™t get a lot of time to fish and we fish team events mostly on Saturdayâ€™s this would avoid some conflicts. I have the feeling the BFL wonâ€™t come and this is just "chat".

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:01 pm

Ricky,

Q: How many DVLs fit into one Clear Lake?

A: Close to ten.

Sure we could get by with a BFL on DVL if FLW doesn't expect HUGE turnouts. Lake sure does fish small, at least it has in the past. And of course Clear Lake doesn't have motor restrictions, which will likely play less and less into the equation as time marches on.

Ray - I think the big time players have new expanded playgrounds to play in and might not be as thrilled by the BFL as they were in years past. But the pool of new guys into the market and guys that don't want to spend the Series and Stren dollars is likely to be thrilled by the notion of the BFL's returning. Might not get as warm a reception from the guys out here that run the regional Pro/Ams though.

sTony

PS - ol' Hubspinna and I have had this conversation several times and we pretty much agreed that it'd still be a tough sell to get the numbers that the BFL requires. The map just isn't good for the format.

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:56 pm

I might be interested but you have to make it worker friendly. The check in would have to be on Saturday and the tournament on Sunday. I can't get time off on Friday's to drive to a lake.

Ranger1 · Post by **Ranger1** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:01 pm

I would fish them!!! very well ran like Ray said and a lot of fun.

Ranger1 · Post by **Ranger1** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:01 pm

I would fish them!!! very well ran like Ray said and a lot of fun.

John Barron · Post by **John Barron** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:21 pm

But why would FLW dilute its audience even more? Series--Stren and BFL? Someone needs to take a head count on tournament anglers.
jb

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:53 pm

They do it back east, I am originally from michigan, and back there, we would get guys that fishes both, the stren and bfl. The number game is what they are concerned about. Thats why i am trying to get the feel before i really prsue this, i just dont want to look like a jack a$$ when the first tourney comes.

William Pointing · Post by **William Pointing** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:11 pm

The reason they didn't draw before is because they were all on the river. Consider southeren Cal Local lakes region. Then also have a river region and a Northeren region. Im all in.

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:14 pm

I was considering discussing the 3 different regions, and then i thought about one - two regions to hopefully get. I just want to have something that could work for the majority, but i will bring that up also.

William Pointing · Post by **William Pointing** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:20 pm

If you look at the history of the river, it never draws good. Local lakes would draw.

B Becker · Post by **B Becker** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:34 am

When the BFL was Redman they did alot in Arizona as well...I think a South and a North would be good.....but not combined....the BFL is designed for the "weekend warrior", with the occassional touring pro to enter.....I don't know how many touring pro's we have out West.....but the North guys are right, they should have theirs (ie. Clear Lake, Shasta, Orville, and the Delta) and we (South) should have ours (ie. Mead, Havasu, Pleasant, Mohave, Powell)....I prefer not to go to Pleasant (bathtub!!!), but those other four would be awesome.....I know people hate Mohave, so double up Mead or Havasu then....but I wouldn't be for going two up North and two down South....just my .02....thanks Matt....I asked about this early in the year too....I hope it flies!!!

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:49 am

When they did it on a local lake the draw sucked. That is why they stayed on the river lakes. Also there has to be at least 2 regions so you can have a regional final out here to see who goes to the all american.
Tony I too have had this same conversation with Hubb and it always ends the same way.

Ron C · Post by **Ron C** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:14 am

...one-day tournaments that I have ever fished. Of course a big part of that was because Randy McBride was running them. Randy is one of the best TD's in the business. I do know that FLW is seriously considering bringing them back out West and I believe that it will happen within the next two or three years.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:02 am

I will say that I wish they would come back but my gut feeling is that they will not bring the B.F.L. back. The only way is if 1 of the tours out west fails.

Margaret Lesinsky · Post by **Margaret Lesinsky** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:57 am

I would love to have the opportunity to fish in one.

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:01 pm

I would definitely fish them. I agree too many team circuits and not enough turn outs for them.

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 1:03 pm

sighn me up for a west circuit MEad, Havasu, Diamond Valley. I'm all in, Castaic, Oh yeah

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:50 pm

I would totally agree with you Brent, we do need two regions, and in my notes that i am taking from everyone here, i do have for the 2 regions. Lake wise, the north you know which ones, and the south for the river lakes. I am just trying to get info so i can present this to Mr. Bill Taylor, and try to make this thing fly. I will also discuss a TD, if any body would seriously know of one for each division, then I would present that also, and get there take on the matter. But all i am trying to do is get everyones .02, and hopefuuly get this thing to fly. Also Brent, I will be in touch with you also for some good help, adn anyone else who would be interested. Thank you to everyone. I will try, and see what happens.

Barry Stanley · Post by **Barry Stanley** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:20 pm

Throw in Lake Powell for the So-Cal and something from the northwest and you will have a new group of anglers that do not have the opportunities that are available to So-Cal/Nor-Cal anglers. The way I see it, everytime there is a new circuit start up in Calif, all it does is dilute the available pool of anglers. The Pro/Am circuits running now on Mead and Havasu keep thinking that if they keep doing what they are doing, somehow their numbers will go up. Sounds like the definition of insanity to me. But what do I know, I just live out in the sticks. Tell FLW/BFL that if they want to come back to the west, think outside of the box and come to greener pastures. I can hear it now, why would the So-Cal anglers want to travel to Powell? Because we all want the same thing, a circuit that stays for more than a few years. I will say that if everyone keeps the big picture in site (BFL All-American) and works together, this will work. I can tell you just from the anglers I know, that there are 40-50 plus anglers in those states ready to fish the bigger events. WON BASS teams on Powell regularly draw 35 teams and AC/Powell will have 25+ teams this weekend at Page.

Barry Stanley
Yamamoto Pro Staff
2IG UltraStrike Rods

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:58 am

Bringing the BFL's back to the west is mostly a pipe dream. I would love to see it happen but will not hold my breath. I have talked to the Ron Vanderson (sp?), the in-house tournament coordinator at the Corp offices in KY, about it and he said it is very unlikely to happen as it is very unpractical (not profitable) for FLW. All the the other BFL Divisions have 4 regions per division and we couldn't even support the two we had and they would have to make yet more special consideration for the West. Then on top of that, add the amount of the other weekend tournaments we have (some lakes are almost booked for every weekend of the year) and you will realize the angler pool is already spread way too thin...look at the numbers of participants in the average team event.

Why would they want to bring them back?

By the way, we tried this exact thing last year, trying to get everyone that wanted to have the BFL's come back call FLW and the number of calls to FLW were dismal

(at least according to Rob)

D Evans · Post by **D Evans** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:35 pm

Hey Matt the WAL-MARK BFL sounds like a good time from what you told me today, if you need some help let me know. Another tournament trail that you fish not as a team but by your self sound great, this would be a great way of seeing how you stack up against other fishermen.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:10 pm

to the top...... i wish!

tomi · Post by **tomi** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:20 am

What ever happened from this? I sent them a nice email yesterday about the same thing. I think it would be great to have a northern and southern California Division, along with an Arizona and a Utah/Nevada. And a Northwest Division.

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:17 am

They wont do it. It will never happen. They told me back in 2006 that it was due to lack of participation. They cant even sell out ALL of the stren tournaments, just a few. If you cant have a full 200 boat and am field in the stren then they wont bring back the bfl.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:41 am

I guess we will have to cross our fingers for BASS/ABA Weekend Series. Bassfan.com reported they were thinking of coming to the west coast.

Ray L. · Post by **Ray L.** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:17 am

Well I think it will happen with the B.F.L.
In other parts of the country the Stren does not sell out. It is not just a west thing.
As far as Bass and the weekend series I highly doubt it.
I don't see it. They fly rumors around all the time.
I am a big fan of the B.F.L. and would love to see it back. I think it was the best 1 day tournament and show out there and hope they bring it back with trailer and all.
I think there may be a market in the northwest as well.
I can see 3 regions now. 1 in the southwest, 1 in n. cal. and 1 in the northwest.
You can then have 1 regional for qualifiers to the all american.

M. Warner · Post by **M. Warner** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:58 pm

The weekend series didnt happen this year out west because the needed a TD to do it and couldnt get, I know this because my club is affiliated with bass and thats what they told us. Also I would love to fish the BFL again, being from michigan that was really all we had along with the strens. Now when I talked to flw about it they just plain out said NO, because of the lack of participation in the strens, if you want get on the FLW web site look up some numbers and start calling, but I quit doing it when I couldnt get any responses back, but just telling you what they told me. Basically it will not happen. I would love to see it happen.

willbjones · Post by **willbjones** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:49 pm

I enjoyed fishing the BFL, BWS, and the ABA Draw Trail when I lived in Alabama, before moving here last year. I was hoping they would move back in after seeing the quality of tournaments, and with the way Western pros have been dominating. For myself, I would drive to fish in Northern Cali for any BFL and would fish more than 1 Region. I honestly have thought of driving to Oklahoma or Texas to compete in couple this year.

tomi · Post by **tomi** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:20 pm

M. Warner wrote:They wont do it. It will never happen. They told me back in 2006 that it was due to lack of participation. They cant even sell out ALL of the stren tournaments, just a few. If you cant have a full 200 boat and am field in the stren then they wont bring back the bfl.

At least with the BFL you have a one day tournament that is going to be closer to home. Guys won't have to take off a week and drive for a day or two to get to a tournament. I think it will have better participation than the Stren series. Actually it may get more interested in the Stren series. Even the entry fee's in the BFL's are cheaper than most pro-am's or even team tourneys.
What we need is everyone to start emailing/calling them to question them on this.

Tom

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:46 pm

Mercury Marine just stepped up with a contingency program for BFL Tournaments.

Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - Pro Angler Only
If the winner of a Wal-Mart BFL event meets the Ranger Cup Powered by Mercury guidelines, then Mercury will award $500*. If the winner of the tournament is not Ranger Cup Powered by Mercury compliant, then Mercury will pay the highest finishing Ranger Cup Powered by Mercury compliant angler $250*. Total potential prize money could exceed $70,000.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:45 pm

Kevin can you ask Mercury Corp. to call? JK but how does those contingencies benefit us?

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:06 pm

It will benefit the West if they do eventually bring these tournaments back. As far calling Mercury, I guess I don't understand your question.

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